The Northern Territory is celebrating the remarkable life of Loraine Braham, a pioneering politician and educator who passed away peacefully at her Alice Springs home this week at age 87, surrounded by the community she loved and served for more than 60 years.

Ms. Braham's legacy is one of barrier-breaking achievements and unwavering dedication to public service. She made history as the first woman elected speaker of the NT Legislative Assembly in 1997, and later became the first female minister from Central Australia, demonstrating that determination and talent know no gender boundaries.

Born in Bendigo, Victoria in 1938, Loraine's journey to becoming a Territory icon began when she and her husband Graeme arrived in Alice Springs in 1962. What started as a teaching position at Braitling Primary School blossomed into a distinguished career in education, culminating in her appointment as the first headmaster of Sadadeen Primary School in 1983. Her impact on young lives during these years would ripple through generations of Central Australian families.

Her transition from education to politics showcased her commitment to community service. After serving as an alderman on the Alice Springs Town Council, she was elected to the NT Legislative Assembly in 1994 as the Country Liberal Party member for Braitling, becoming the first female parliamentarian from Central Australia—a milestone that inspired countless women across the Territory.

"My mother was the first female member of the NT parliament for Central Australia, and that makes us all very proud," her daughter Michelle shared in a heartfelt tribute, noting that her mother was "a proud Territorian who never wanted to leave Alice Springs."

During her ministerial tenure from 1999 onwards, Ms. Braham championed transformative infrastructure projects including the Adelaide-Darwin railway and the Alice Springs Convention Centre, leaving lasting contributions to the Territory's development.

Her resilience shone brightest in 2001 when, after being disendorsed by the CLP, she successfully recontested her seat as an independent—a testament to the deep trust and respect her constituents held for her. Local historian Alex Nelson recalled her political acumen: "She was seriously underestimated because she had an uncanny knack of coming in from nowhere to win a position."

In a remarkable show of cross-party respect, the incoming Labor government invited Ms. Braham to continue as speaker following the 2001 election, a position she held with distinction until 2005. She served her community until retiring from politics in 2008, leaving behind a transformed political landscape where women's leadership was no longer an anomaly but an expectation.

Ms. Braham remained a beloved and respected figure in Alice Springs throughout her life, remembered for her courtesy, forthrightness, and genuine care for all community members regardless of their background. Her six-decade love affair with Alice Springs and its people exemplifies the profound impact one dedicated individual can have on shaping a community's future.

Her funeral will be held on Friday, January 16, in Alice Springs, where the community will gather to honor a woman who opened doors, broke ceilings, and never forgot the people she served.